Rutgers Women's Soccer Season Review
Nov 15 | Women's Soccer
The Rutgers women’s soccer team finished the 2010 season with an overall record of 10-9-1, including a 5-5-1 mark in BIG EAST play. The Scarlet Knights advanced to their 11th-straight BIG EAST championship – tied for the longest streak among conference members.
Redshirt senior Gina DeMaio made Rutgers history as she finished her career with 29 assists, breaking a 17-year-old record held by Jennifer Gibbons (1992) who tallied 27 helpers in her career. DeMaio also finished her career “On the Banks” ninth in points (55) and second in shots (272).
Rutgers started the season ranked 18th in the NSCAA poll. After blanking Stony Brook (Aug. 20) in their first match, they climbed up a notch to No. 17.
At the Nike Invitational, RU lost a very close match to No. 4 Portland (Sept. 10) by a score of 2-1. The Scarlet Knights responded, dropping Washington, 1-0, on Sept. 12. Redshirt junior Tricia DiPaolo scored the first game-winner of her career against the Huskies.
One of Rutgers’ biggest wins of the season came against No. 19 Georgetown, 1-0, in front of the largest home crowd of the season. Senior Ashley Medcalf notched the first game-winner of her career in the 23rd minute off a RU corner kick. Freshman netminder Samantha Perretty earned the first start of her career, blanking the Hoyas and grabbing three saves. For her efforts, she was named BIG EAST Rookie of the Week.
Rutgers played some of its best soccer against Connecticut and Providence College (Oct. 1-3). The Scarlet Knights dropped the Huskies, 2-0, on Friday night getting goals from redshirt junior Karla Schacher and redshirt sophomore April Price – each getting an assist from DeMaio. RU had no letdown on Sunday, crushing PC by a 4-1 mark. Schacher, Jonelle Filigno, Price and Ashley Jones all tallied scores in the win.
DeMaio and senior Allie Hambleton were named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll for their performances after the UConn/PC victories. DeMaio notched a four-point weekend for the Scarlet Knights, tallying two assists in both matches. It was her first career weekend with two multi-assists games. With the four helpers, DeMaio passed Jennifer Gibbons (1989-92) in the RU record book with most career assists (28). Hambleton earned the honor after playing 175 minutes of shutout soccer as the rock of the back line.
For their final home weekend, RU raised over $1800 on “We R BC Fighters” night to help the fight against breast cancer as part of their yearly community service project. With the 2-1 win against Cincinnati that same night, RU secured a bid to their 11th-straight BIG EAST Championship.
DiPaolo scored the game-winner against Cincinnati and in a 3-0 victory over Louisville on Sunday. For her five-point weekend in aiding the Scarlet Knights to a three seed in the BIG EAST Championship, DiPaolo was named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll.
Rutgers finished its season with a loss to No. 24 West Virginia in the BIG EAST Championship quarterfinals. Despite outshooting the Mountaineers, 8-4, it took just one goal for WVU to claim the victory.
Filigno was named to the All-BIG EAST Second Team, as she led the squad with 12 points on four goals and four assists. The Mississauga, ON, Canada native missed the final five contests of the season as she was named to the Canadian National Team final roster. During the CONCACAF World Cup Qualifier, Filigno tallied 11 points on four goals and three assists as Canada went 5-0 to win the CONCACAF title and qualify for the 2011 FIFA World Cup in Germany.
